Chapter 6:

Annabeth's P.O.V.

I didn't know why but my heart ached a little when he agreed to never fall in love with me. It wasn't because of that silly bet. I didn't want to hurt Reyna. What if she likes Percy and she found out I like Percy or Percy likes me? It would be "Jason and Piper" all over again. After Percy promised me that he wouldn't be in love with me, we turned our attention to Drew who was performing. She was wearing short shorts and a pink tank top. She was flaunting off her perfect figure and it annoyed me. After her performance, all of us were allowed to wander the whole camp or go to our respective cabins for the whole day.

"Hey!" Reyna said as she ran towards me, Piper by her side. I looked at them quizzically; I thought they'd stay away from each other. "Piper told me we should hang out."

"I asked Hazel to come with us but I think she wants to hang out with Frank." Piper explained "Annabeth, there's something about Katie you should know."

"What?" I asked. I was worried because Katie was my first friend here at camp. She's also the most important member of our girl group.

"It's best if we talk somewhere quiet." Reyna suggested.

"WHAT?" I shouted at them "Katie didn't go to camp?"

Reyna put a hand on my shoulder to calm me down. We sat down near the lake so Piper could talk to me about Katie leaving.

"She texted me yesterday," Piper confessed "She told me her father had fallen ill and she needs to work at their farm or else they'd go bankrupt. Don't worry, Travis is there to help her. Connor told me so."

Travis is Katie's boyfriend. He's annoying and he pulls a lot of pranks but if he makes Katie happy, who am I to judge him?

"But we need her!" I complained "We'd be nothing without Katie."

"We'll work this out later." Reyna assured "You can hold auditions to temporarily replace Katie."

"Let's go now." Piper said standing up "I have to visit Jason, make sure he's alright."

Reyna looked away at the mention of Jason. Piper seemed to notice to and quickly added "And I have to meet my cousin Percy!"

"I'll come with you. Reyna, will you come with us?" I asked her. She looked at us and smiled "Nah."

"Percy wants to meet you." Piper blurted out "I told him about you. He said you were amazing."

I knew she was lying. If Percy really liked Reyna, he could've mentioned her when we talked. Not that I was jealous or anything.

"It's okay. I'll stay here a bit longer." She said. I stood up and went with Piper. I felt bad leaving Reyna alone but I had to leave her alone. She needed time with herself.

I was alone at the music room. Most of the campers were hanging out at the lake or the amphitheater. I couldn't find Reyna and Piper's probably with Jason. I tried calling Hazel but she said she was busy. If Katie was here, she'd be hanging out with Travis. I decided it was best if I practiced my songs for the competition. I wanted that record deal more than anything. If I got that record deal, I can move out and leave my dad's family for good. I could live in my own apartment and maybe years after getting that recording contract, I'd find the perfect guy who'd treat me right and I'd eventually marry him.

"Annabeth," I told myself "Just practice! You're sixteen! You're too young to think of marriage."

I grabbed my guitar and sat down on the floor. I thought of a perfect song to sing right now.

"I'm walking fast through the traffic lights
Busy streets and busy lives
And all we know is touch and go
We are alone with our changing minds
We fall in love till it hurts or bleeds, or fades in time"

I wasn't a big fan of Taylor Swift but this song is just perfect. As I continued the rest of the song, I felt like someone was watching me. I didn't mind that someone was watching me, I'm used to it. I wasn't doing anything embarrassing anyways.

When I finished the song, I heard someone clapping behind me. I turned around and saw Percy Jackson. On second thought, I was a bit embarrassed.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Oh, sorry… I was just looking around and I heard you singing and I thought I should watch you." Percy said while rubbing the back of his neck "I'll go if you want me to."

"Stay." I blurted out. I wanted company and I wanted to know more about Percy. "I want you to stay."

He smiled before sitting down beside me. He took my guitar and started strumming a few chords.

"So," he asked "why are you here while your friends are out there having fun?"

"I couldn't find Reyna." I told him "Piper's with Jason and Hazel's busy."

There was a long silence before he started singing. His voice wasn't the best but it was great. He was good and I wondered why he didn't attend camp earlier.

"You sing well." I told him after he sang "Your voice is really nice."

"Thank you." He said "Although I'm nothing compared to you. You've been trained for years while I'm just starting."

He gave me back the guitar. I looked at him and I clearly knew what he wanted, he wanted me to sing to him.

"I can't sing in front of you." I confessed "It's awkward."

"Just pretend that I'm not here like what you did before you saw me."

I wanted to protest but I'm sure he's persistent. I took the guitar and strummed it, not knowing what I should sing.

"I don't know what to sing." I told him

"Sing anything! Sing the ABC song if you want to, I don't care. I just want to hear your lovely voice again."

I blushed at his remark before strumming the guitar to my favorite song.

"This one's called 'Catch Me'…" I told him "It was the first song I learned to play on my guitar."

"Before I fall
Too fast
Kiss me quick but make it last
So I can see how badly this will hurt me
When you say goodbye
Keep it sweet
Keep it slow
Let the future pass
And don't let go
But tonight I could fall too soon
to this beautiful moonlight"

I was about to sing the chorus when someone interrupted me.

"Annabeth, I've been looking everywhere for you!" Reyna entered the room and I accidentally dropped the guitar. It was a good thing that Percy was there to catch it. Reyna noticed Percy and then looked at me quizzically.

"Oh, uh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you have company." She said "I just wanted to tell you that it's dinner time."

"Hello." Percy said "I'm Percy."

"Nice to meet you." She told him "I'm Reyna and I need to go."

She opened the door but before she left she told me "When do I get my Little Mix CD?"

The walk to the dining hall was awkward. Well, Percy wanted to start a conversation but I would reply with a nod or one word. I wanted to tell him about the bet but he might get angry and never talk to me ever again. I kinda liked our semi-awkward friendship and I didn't want to lose it. Percy and I sat down with Reyna and our friends. Reyna was talking to Hazel while Frank was talking to Leo. Jason and Piper were in their own little world, I guess. When Reyna saw me, she smiled at me.

"Hey, Percy…." She said "so, are you and Annabeth a couple now?"

Percy- who was drinking water- almost spit his drink out.

"No, we're just really good friends." Percy told her as he wiped his mouth.

"Oh," she said looking at her food "Well, that's a shame. You two look so good together."

"What?" I asked her

"Well, you two would create perfect b-" before Reyna could finish her sentence; I Hazel put her hand on Reyna's mouth.

"Let's just eat, shall we?" Hazel said before releasing Reyna. Reyna wiped her mouth and glared at me. I looked at Frank who was trying so hard not to laugh and Leo who was beside him. I found it strange that Leo wasn't laughing. He was just looking at Reyna. Reyna didn't notice anything and just continued her eating her meal.

"Hey, Piper…" I whispered "I think someone's got a crush on Reyna."

A/N: The first song is State of Grace by Taylor Swift and the second song is Catch Me by Demi Lovato.